Raj is the inaugural Leo. S. Brenneisen Distinguished Professor (2017-present) at the University of Kansas School of Law, before which he held the inaugural Rice Distinguished Professorship (2003-2017). Both are university-level chairs, the highest accolade for scholarship and research in Kansas. He has served as KU's Associate Dean for International and Comparative Law (2011-2017).

Raj practiced at the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, where he twice won the President's Award for Excellence, thanks to his service as a delegate to the United Nations Conference on International Trade Law. He is Senior Advisor to Dentons U.S. LLP, the world's largest law firm, focusing on international and comparative legal matters.

A Harvard Law School graduate, he completed Masters degrees at LSE and Oxford as a Marshall Scholar, and an undergraduate degree at Duke as an Angier B. Duke Scholar.

Raj is author of one of the world's leading textbooks in international trade law, International Trade Law: An Interdisciplinary, Non-Western Textbook, and the first treatise on GATT in nearly 50 years, Modern GATT Law. He is the first non-Muslim American scholar to write a textbook on Islamic Law, Understanding Islamic Law (Shar?'a). His newest book is on the Trans Pacific Partnership, TPP Objectively, and he is working on one on India, Business Law of Modern India.

Research

Research Interests:

(1) International Trade, especially: linkages among poor countries, development economics and social justice theory; national security and peace through trade; and traditional trade remedies (antidumping and countervailing duties, and safeguards).

Service

Administrative Responsibilities:

(1) Associate Dean for International and Comparative Law (8/11-12/17)

(2) Significantly responsible for creating and running the Two Year Juris Doctor (J.D.) Program for Foreign Trained Lawyers (3/04-present), Certificate in International Trade and Finance Program (3/04-present), and Doctorate of Juridical Science (S.J.D.) Program (5/06-present)

(3) Negotiated, drafted, and completed Memoranda of Understanding with several law schools in India, Korea, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE)

Selected Publications

Bhala, R. (in press). 5th Edition, 2019
The new (5th, 2019) edition is four Volumes and totals approximately 4,000 pages. The previous edition (4th, 2015), was two Volumes of approximately 1,500 pages each. Thus, the new (5th) edition is an expansion of about 1,000 pages (3,000 versus 4,000 pages).
This expansion reflects the increasing breadth and depth of the field of International Trade Law.
This expansion also is user-friendly, as each Volume can be used as a course module, for separate courses or seminars. Or. International Trade Law: A Comprehensive Textbook
Volume One:
Interdisciplinary Foundations and Fundamental Obligations
1,494 pages
Volume Two:
Customs Law and National Security
648 pages
Volume Three:
Remedies
1,060 pages
Volume Four:
Preferences, Labor, Environment, and Intellectual Property
1,146 pages
, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A.: Carolina Academic Press.

Bhala, R. (in press). Second edition, 2019
The new edition of this book represents an expansion from the previous edition (1st, 2016) of approximately 400 pages. Much of that expansion is due to the withdrawal from TPP in January 2017 by the U.S., and the continuation of this free trade agreement by the other 11 TPP countries in the form of CPTPP -- the Comprehensive and Progress Agreement for Trans Pacific Partnership. TPP Objectively:
An Interdisciplinary Analysis of CPTPP, Durham, North Carolina, U.S.A.: Carolina Academic Press.

Bhala, R. (2017). India's Long Road -- The Search for Prosperity
[Review of the book India's Long Road -- The Search for Prosperity, Vijay Joshi]. Manchester Journal of International Economic Law, 14(3), 393-396. Manchester, England: University of Manchester. https://www.electronicpublications.org/stuff.php?id=682

Selected Presentations

Bhala, R. . (10/18/2018). The Three-Dimensional International Trade War: Strategic Positioning for Canada in WTO, NAFTA, and Bilateral Battles. The Conference Board of Canada. Canada (nationwide, broadcast across all 5 time zones). Available Here

Bhala, R. . (10/04/2018). Merits and Demerits of Trump Administration Trade Law and Policy. Are Trade Wars “Easy to Win” or Even Worth Having? A Debate on the Trump Administration’s Trade Policy. Hofstra Law School. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (05/17/2018). Recent Developments in International Trade Law at the Multilateral, Regional, and National Levels. Recent Developments in the Law. University of Kansas, School of Law, Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A.

Bhala, R. & Wood, C. N. (05/10/2018). Advancing Women’s Rights Through “Hard” Law in Free Trade Agreements. Great Plains International and Comparative Law Colloquium. Washburn University and University of Kansas Schools of Law, Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A.

Bhala, R. Smith, J. M. & Anguelov, N. . (01/30/2018). Iran: Historic, Economic, Legal, and Policy Challenges and Opportunities. Iran, North Korea, Russia, and Venezuela in the Crosshairs: What Your Company Needs to Know About the New U.S. Sanctions. The Knowledge Group, Jersey City, New Jersey. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (10/20/2017). Lessons About NAFTA Renegotiations from Shakespeare’s Othello: From the Three Amigos to America as Iago? The U.S.–Mexico Relationship in International Law and Politics,
Maryland Journal of International Law Symposium,
The University of Maryland, School of Law.

Bhala, R. . (08/31/2017). An American Perspective on NAFTA's Past, Present, and Future. The Conference Board of Canada. Canada (nationwide, broadcast across all 5 time zones). Available Here

Bhala, R. . (06/09/2017). Islamic Banking and Finance. University of Auckland, Faculties of Law and Business,
New Zealand Legal Research Foundation. Auckland, New Zealand. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (06/08/2017). Reinterpreting Islamic Law on Issues from Women to War. University of Auckland, Faculties of Law and Business,
New Zealand Legal Research Foundation. Auckland, New Zealand. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (06/01/2017). India, China, and Turbulence in International Trade Law and Policy. Chapman Tripp (Law Firm). Auckland, New Zealand. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (05/31/2017). From Law and Literature to International Law and Literature: Scholarly and Pedagogical Innovation for Globalisation. University of Auckland, Faculty of Law, Staff Seminar. Auckland, New Zealand. Available Here

Bhala, R. & Kelsey, J. . (05/30/2017). A Dialogue on the Future of TPP -- And What Now For New Zealand? University of Auckland, Faculty of Law. Auckland, New Zealand. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (02/09/2017). The Legal, Economic, and National Security Dimensions of the Trans Pacific Partnership. University of Pittsburgh, School of Law. Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.A. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (05/05/2016). TPP Objectively: Law, Economics, and National Security of History's Largest, Longest Free Trade Agreement. Great Plains International and Comparative Law Colloquium. Washburn University School of Law, Topeka, Kansas. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (04/27/2016). A Critical Evaluation of WTO Plus Standards in TPP. Harvard Law School,
WTO 20th Anniversary Conference and Academics Symposium on Old Rules, New Problems: The WTO at 20. Harvard Law School, Cambridge, Massachusetts. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (04/13/2016). Risks and Opportunities with the Trans-Pacific Partnership for Malaysia. ASEAN Lawyers Group of Malaysia Annual General Meeting. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (04/12/2016). History of Trade Negotiations. Global Development Law & Consulting Group (Washington, D.C.), Bar Council of Malaysia (BCI), and Inter-Pacific Bar Association (IPBA) Legal Development & Training Committee,
Program on How to Participate in Trade Negotiations: Focus on the Trans Pacific Pa. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Bhala, R. . (09/21/2015). Design and Challenges of Banking and Foreign Exchange Regulation in India. 2nd Asian Business Lawyer Symposium, “Business and Finance Regulation from Comparative and International Perspectives.”. Korea University College of Law, Seoul, Korea. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (09/01/2015). Evolution and Revolution of International Trade Law Scholarship and Pedagogy through the 20 Year Journey of a Textbook. Faculty Workshop. University of Kansas School of Law, Lawrence, Kansas. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (05/14/2015). Evolution and Revolution of International Trade Law Scholarship and Pedagogy through the 20 Year Journey of a Textbook. Great Plains International and Comparative Law Colloquium. Washburn University, School of Law, Topeka, Kansas. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (05/06/2015). Critical Analysis of Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP). University of Hong Kong, Faculty of Law, East Asian International Economic Law & Policy Program, Asian Institute of International Financial Law, and RGC Theme-based Research Project: Enhancing Hong Kong's Future as a Leading International Financial Center. Hong Kong. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (05/05/2015). Views from Riyadh and Delhi on GATT-WTO and FTA Developments. Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), Faculty of Law, Center for Financial Regulation and Economic Development (CFRED), Thirteenth Trade and Investment Law Seminar. Hong Kong. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (04/29/2015). The Kingdom and Recent Developments in World Trade. Council of Saudi Chambers of Commerce and Harvard Association of Saudi Arabia (HASA). Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (03/24/2015). Recent Developments in International and Indian Trade Law and Policy. Gang of Youngsters (GOY) Conference. V.M. Salgaocar College of Law, Miramar, Panaji, Goa, India

Bhala, R. . (03/19/2015). Recent Developments in International and Indian Trade Law and Policy. Special Meeting. World Trade Center, Mumbai (Bombay), India

Bhala, R. . (03/17/2015). International Trade, Investment, and Intellectual Property Law and Policy in India and Beyond. Harvard College in Asia Program (HCAP) Conference. Saint Xavier's College, Mumbai (Bombay), India

Bhala, R. . (03/17/2015). Lecture on "Recent Developments in International and Indian Trade Law and Policy,"
followed by Panel on "India’s Trade Policies: Prospects and Challenges” with Mr. Richard Bale, Consul General of Canada to Mumbai. Government Law College (GLC) Mumbai (Bombay), India

Bhala, R. . (01/20/2015). International Business Law and Catholic Social Justice Teaching. Saint Thomas More Society Meeting. University of Kansas, School of Law, Lawrence, Kansas, U.S.A.

Bhala, R. . (10/22/2014). Risks to International Business in Asia. Risks to International Business. International Trade Council of Greater Kansas City, Kauffman Foundation, Kansas City, Missouri. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (09/08/2014). Congratulations on United States Citizenship. Citizenship Naturalization Proceedings. United States District Court for the District of Kansas. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (03/10/2014). Trade Preferences for Poor Countries, The Doha Round Debacle, and United States and Indian Trade Law and Policy. INDIA (Sonipat, Haryana) - Jindal Global Law School (JGLS). Available Here

Bhala, R. . (03/05/2014). The Rights of Women Under the Sharīʻa as Practiced in Islamic Countries. Muslims and Sharīʻa: Learning from Experiences of Other Countries. INDIA (Mumbai) - Tata Institute for Social Sciences (TISS). Available Here

Bhala, R. . (03/04/2014). Recent Developments and Current Controversies in International Trade Law. INDIA (Mumbai) - University of Mumbai Department of Law. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (03/04/2014). The Trans-Pacific Partnership and Implications for India. INDIA (Mumbai) - Gateway House (India Council on Global Affairs). Available Here

Bhala, R. . (03/03/2014). An Overview of International Trade Law. INDIA (Mumbai) - Government Law College (GLC). Available Here

Bhala, R. . (03/03/2014). The Future of the GATT-WTO System, American Trade Policy, and Implications for the Indian Subcontinent. INDIA (Mumbai) - Government Law College (GLC). Available Here

Bhala, R. . (02/28/2014). Anti Dumping Provisions in the United States and Pitfalls to be Avoided, and Export Diversification Opportunities in Emerging Markets. INDIA (Mumbai) - Office of Additional Director General of Foreign Trade (DGFT). Available Here

Bhala, R. . (02/25/2014). Indian Trade Reforms and Its Doha Round Negotiating Positions. INDIA (Hyderabad) - National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (02/25/2014). Where is India in Free Trade Agreements and the Trans Pacific Partnership? INDIA (Hyderabad) - National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (02/24/2014). An Overview of International Trade Law. INDIA (Hyderabad) - National Academy of Legal Studies and Research (NALSAR) University of Law. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (08/30/2013). Writing Big Books: Six Secrets for Santosh. University of Kansas School of Law Workshop Series. University of Kansas School of Law, Lawrence, Kansas

Bhala, R. & Boyer, R. . (05/21/2013). The Rise of Anti-Sharia Legislation. National Public Radio (NPR),
Radio Broadcast on Kansas City Affiliate KCUR, 89.3 FM,
"Central Standard" Show. Available Here

Amos, G. F., Odierno, G. T., Welsh, G. A., Papp, A. J., Ferguson, A. & Bhala, R. . (05/03/2013). Robert B. McKeon Endowed Series on Military Strategy with the Service Chiefs. Council on Foreign Relations National Teleconference. New York

Summers, L. H. & Bhala, R. . (04/02/2013). A Conversation with Lawrence H. Summers on U.S. Economic Strategy,
Former U.S. Treasury Secretary and
President Emeritus, Harvard University. Council on Foreign Relations
National Teleconference. New York. Available Here

Bhala, R. . (03/07/2013). Themes and Controversies in Understanding Islamic Law. Washburn University School of Law

Bhala, R. Filpi, J. & Buntin, J. . (02/13/2013). Key Developments in U.S. Trade Relations in the Middle East and North Africa. American Bar Association (ABA),
Section of International Law,
Middle East Committee and International Trade Committee. Washington, D.C. (via teleconference). Available Here